Autoresponders and Internet Marketing

Autoresponders are used to achieve many of the tasks of internet marketing. Most successful internet marketers would agree that an autoresponder and their opt in list are the two most important parts of their marketing arsenal.

Internet marketers use auto responders to keep in touch with past customers and their opt-in list by sending them sales messages and useful information. They also use an auto responder to build their opt-in list. There are many creative ways you can use your autoresponder to make more sales and to build customer relations.

Let’s take a few seconds and answer the question, “what is an autoresponder?” An autoresponder is a script or software program that manages an opt-in list for you. It allows a person to join or opt-in to your list. It will send them one or more email messages spaced over time when they opt-in. You create the email messages to be sent and you define the time interval between messages in an administrator area of the autoresponder software. With most autoresponders you can also send a single message to your whole list whenever you want.

You can get an autoresponder from an autoresponder service or use an autoresponder program.

An autoresponder service is browser based, meaning you log into a web site to setup and maintain your autoresponder. It runs on the server of the service provider, instead of on the server of your web host. The service can be free or fee based. The free services usually require you to have an ad placed on your messages. Many of the services let you join for free and have an upgrade program.

An autoresponder program is usually a free autoresponder that comes with your web hosting account and is set up on your web server. It could also be a script that is installed on your web server.

Many of the autoresponders provided by you hosting service do not allow you to set up multiple emails when a person opts in to your list. Instead they only allow one email response which goes out immediately when a person opts in. This is more limiting for you. Check with your host to see what they offer.

You can buy a script or get a free script from one of the free or shareware directories. You would need to get the script installed on your domain. If your host has good support he may help you with this.

Having your own autoresponder program installed on your domain gives you more control over it and would be less expensive. The learning curve is usually very small. Many of the scripts do not require you to do a double opt-in. Most services are stricter and require a double opt-in.

When you have your new autoresponder, whether from a service or by using a program, test it and learn how to use it. Start by using your own email address to subscribe to it and test it. Do this until you are very familiar with it. Once you know how it works you can make it available for use with your list.

This is part one of a series on autoresponders. You may read part two by going to Proper Autoresponder Use and Spam Avoidance.

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